Ecofriendly Approach for the Control of a Common Insect Pest in the Food Industry, Combining Polymeric Nanoparticles...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plodia interpunctella is a common pest affecting food commodities.
• Essential oils (EO) offer a promising approach for insect pest management.
• The impact of post-application temperature on EO and essential oil-loaded polymeric nanoparticle (EOPN) efficacy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate palmarosa, geranium, and peppermint essential oils into polymeric nanoparticles (EOPN).
• To evaluate the insecticidal activity of EOPN against Plodia interpunctella.
• To determine the influence of temperature on the insecticidal efficacy of EO and EOPN.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of essential oils (palmarosa, geranium, peppermint) into polyethylene glycol 6000 nanoparticles.
• Characterization of EOPN size, monodispersity, and encapsulation efficiency.
• Contact and fumigant toxicity bioassays to assess insecticidal activity at varying temperatures.

Main Results:

• All tested EOPN enhanced the insecticidal effect of the base oils, with palmarosa EOPN being most potent in contact assays.
• Both oils and EOPN exhibited a negative temperature coefficient in contact toxicity.
• Palmarosa and peppermint EOPN showed enhanced activity in fumigant assays, with palmarosa EO and EOPN being most effective.
• Fumigant activity of EO and EOPN was not significantly affected by temperature variations.

Conclusions:

• Essential oil-loaded polymeric nanoparticles are effective for managing Plodia interpunctella.
• Palmarosa-based formulations show significant insecticidal potential.
• Temperature influences the contact toxicity of these formulations, but not their fumigant activity.